Former Pakistan bowler Shoaib Akhtar praised the Pakistan coaching team for providing their captain Babar Azam with the proper backing and power to make judgements, which Akhtar feels, that will be the key to Pakistan’s current success.
Akhtar praised the squad for their outstanding performance in the present T20 World Cup in the UAE, as Pakistan rushed into the semi-finals by winning all five Super12 matches. The side also interrupted a 12-match losing record versus arch-rival India at the World Cups with a stunning 10-wicket triumph in the event beginning.
“Pakistan cruised through the Super 12s and their performances have been brilliant, the team needs to focus on delivering their best performance and leave the rest in the hands of God,” said Akhtar.
Babar was allowed to make his own decisions: Shoaib
According to Akhtar, the management’s choice to allow Babar more freedom in judgement was a crucial factor in Pakistan’s victory at the event. Interestingly, Pakistan achieved first in their group and is the only unbroken team in the competition thus far.
“The team management gave responsibility and liberty to him [Babar] and he looked like a proper captain for the first time in this tournament. One of the main reasons was because Babar was not being guided from the outside. Instead, he was allowed to make his own decisions,” added Shoaib.
The side will now face Australia in the 2nd semi-final on November 11. Akhtar noted that the last time Pakistan had such a dominant campaign at a big tournament was in the 1999 ODI World Cup, but he also hoped that the squad did not repeat the faults of that game.
“The last time we cruised through the like this was back in 1999 World Cup, and I hope we don’t repeat the same mistakes as we did then,” he said. “If we get to the finals, it is my plea to the team, please don’t take the pressure.”
“We made the wrong call to bat first in 1999, and don’t repeat the mistakes. Just play your natural game and know that the entire nation is behind you whether we win or lose,” Akhtar concluded.
